Chapter 105: The Zhang Brothers

The appearance of the two immediately caught the attention of several guards, who stepped forward with fawning greetings: "Protector Zhang, Commander Zhang, greetings."

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaofei frowned slightly and asked Su Muhe, "Could these two be the Zhang brothers?"

Su Muhe nodded, saying, "Indeed, they are Zhang Shen and Zhang Xiu. The Zhang family has always been a major power in Ghost Abyss City. Ever since Zhang Shen was promoted to Protector, he has become increasingly arrogant and overbearing. Were it not for our master’s consideration of their family’s meritorious service in guarding the city, and the fact that he reached the peak of the Profound Heaven Realm at only a thousand years old, the position of Fourth Protector would never have fallen to him. Yet, he takes immense pride in it and acts recklessly throughout the city."

Jiang Xiaofei nodded slightly and said, "No wonder they have such airs. However, if they dare to put on such airs in front of me, I wouldn't mind crippling the two brothers."

At this moment, Zhang Shen and Zhang Xiu walked over.

"Protector Su, you look truly beautiful today; your curvaceous figure is on full display. If anyone were to take you as a wife, they would gladly trade ten years of their vitality for it!" Zhang Shen laughed, his flirtatious tone undisguised.

This left Su Muhe feeling humiliated and angry, a flash of murderous intent flickering in her eyes.

Seeing this, Zhang Shen remained unfazed, instead laughing, "Tsk, tsk. Angry after only a few words? That doesn't seem like the style of Protector Su."

With that, Zhang Shen continued with a self-righteous tone, "I, Zhang Shen, am merely stating facts. In terms of figure, Protector Su is one of the few in the entire Underworld, right little brother?"

Zhang Xiu chimed in with a sycophantic laugh, "Protector Su’s figure is indeed excellent. However, Protector Meng is also very beautiful and arguably more appealing, though she is a bit cold. I fear she wouldn't be very comfortable to handle."

"You..." Hearing Zhang Xiu’s words, Meng Feixue was instantly incensed, a murderous glint appearing in her eyes. Known as the First Ice Beauty of Ghost Abyss City, she had never suffered such humiliation. A lady of honor would rather die than be insulted in such a way.

Jiang Xiaofei, too, was stunned by their lack of restraint, uttering such lewd and foul language. They were the dregs of men; liking a woman was one thing, but bullying her was pure thuggery and beastly behavior.

He stepped forward, shielding the two women, and said coldly, "To bully women so brazenly—don't you think you're looking down on me a bit too much?"

"And what are you supposed to be? Daring to meddle in my affairs? Do you want to see how I turn you into a cripple?" Zhang Shen said with a dark look, preparing to strike.

Seeing this, Su Muhe shouted coldly, "Cease your insolence! This is Master Fei."

"Master Fei?" Zhang Shen raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Who is Master Fei? I don't know him. But I do know a fellow named 'Flying Dog'—this guy looks quite familiar, he must be that very same mutt."

"However, I am curious: isn't Flying Dog the commander of Sky Ghost City? Why would he appear here? Could it be that Protector Su has treasonous intent? Seeing that our Ghost Abyss City is at a disadvantage, have you already defected to the enemy?"

"Aha! So that’s it—you went out just to bring the enemy inside. Fortunately, I am quick-witted and discovered it in time, otherwise, you might have succeeded. I shall report this truthfully to the Mansion Master. Even if you are a Grand Protector, you won't escape the torture of ten thousand punishments. However, we could settle this privately; if you submit to me, I will pretend I saw nothing and ensure you live a happy and fulfilling life."

"You are courting death!" Su Muhe was incensed, her eyes burning with killing intent. She was fiercely loyal to her master, having been saved by her, and would never betray her. Furthermore, Master Fei was her master's husband—how could he possibly be the "Flying Dog" of Sky Ghost City? This man was twisting the truth and babbling nonsense. Even she, with her usually gentle temperament, could not endure it.

"Even if this offends the Zhang clan, I will kill you today," Su Muhe said coldly, preparing to attack.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaofei quickly intervened. He looked at Zhang Shen and said coldly, "Little boy, you must take responsibility for your words, or you will invite your own demise."

Zhang Shen grew impatient and snapped, "Who are you to lecture me?"

Jiang Xiaofei frowned and sneered, "Another foul remark. I originally only intended to cripple you, but it seems your life has no value and only serves to pollute the air."

"What are you trying to do?" Zhang Shen’s expression changed instantly. Although he didn't know Jiang Xiaofei’s true cultivation level, the "Flying Dog" of Sky Ghost City was at the Heaven Transformation Realm. Since the man before him looked similar, he might truly be that person. Regret washed over him; he should have reported this immediately, at least to the Third Protector, the Corpse King.

"I am going to kill you, of course." Seeing Zhang Shen’s nervous reaction, Jiang Xiaofei sneered and released the aura of the Profound Heaven Realm.

Seeing that Jiang Xiaofei was only at the Profound Heaven Realm, Zhang Shen breathed a sigh of relief. He himself was at the peak of the Profound Heaven Realm. Even without using ghost arts, his ghost energy alone should surpass Jiang Xiaofei’s. He sneered, "So you're only at the Profound Heaven Realm. You're too naive to think you can kill me with that. Since that's the case, let me show you what real power is. In front of me, you are nothing."

With that, Zhang Shen released his peak Profound Heaven aura, vast ghost energy billowing out, letting all the guards know that Protector Zhang was truly enraged.

However, they found it strange—this man at the Profound Heaven Realm must have lost his mind to dare fight Protector Zhang; it was pure suicide.

"Indeed," one man remarked, dismissing Jiang Xiaofei. "Our Protector Zhang is at the peak of the Profound Heaven Realm. How could a mere Profound Heaven cultivator defeat him? It’s a one-shot victory, no doubt."

Only Su Muhe and Meng Feixue did not think Jiang Xiaofei was being arrogant. They watched with smiles, knowing he had personally defeated the Demon Emperor. Such combat power was far beyond what Zhang Shen could handle—he wouldn't last a single blow. Though they didn't know why Jiang Xiaofei appeared to be only at the Profound Heaven Realm, they assumed he must be concealing his true strength.

"Is that so?"

Jiang Xiaofei, feeling Zhang Shen's aura, remained unafraid and sneered. He clapped his palms, and a vast surge of True Phoenix Fire erupted, instantly incinerating Zhang Shen's ghost energy and engulfing him.

The scene shocked everyone; such power was truly terrifying.

Zhang Xiu, standing closest to Zhang Shen, felt as though his own body were catching fire, even though the flames did not touch him. Terrified, he scrambled backward.

Under the burning of the True Phoenix Fire, Zhang Shen was gripped by horror. He felt as if he were trapped in an inferno, his very being consumed. No matter how he struggled, he could not escape the flames, and his screams of agony echoed like thunder, sending chills down the spines of the onlookers. They looked at Jiang Xiaofei with newfound fear; this method of burning a soul was cruel indeed. If Zhang Shen was a man, Jiang Xiaofei was a demon.

"Doesn't feel good, does it?" Jiang Xiaofei watched Zhang Shen struggle in agony and felt a sense of satisfaction. It was not that he was cruel, but one could not be soft-hearted toward enemies, lest they think he was easy to push around. To maintain stability in Ghost Abyss City and manage the Underworld Mansion for his wife, he had to kill a ghost to establish his prestige; otherwise, he would never command respect.

With that thought, Jiang Xiaofei’s eyes darkened. "Don't blame me for being heartless. Blame your own loose tongue for provoking someone you shouldn't have. Die."

Hearing this, Zhang Shen cried out in terror, "No! I don't want to die! Please, spare me!"

"It is too late for regrets. Pay the price for your actions." Jiang Xiaofei sighed slightly, then his eyes went cold, and he flicked his hand.

In an instant, under the incinerating power of the True Phoenix Fire, Zhang Shen was reduced to ashes.